Harness



'llm'rn STATES FREDERICK F. HODGE-S, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,737, dated-June 11, 1895. Application filed May 8,1894- Serial No. 510,528. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK F. HODGES,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, in the countyof Calhounand State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Harness-Gear; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification. 7

This invention relates to certain improvements in hame tugs and has forits object to provide a device of this character of a simple andinexpensive construction which shall possess certain advantages for useover other similar devices heretofore employed, all as will behereinafter fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will be carefully defined in theclaims.

In order that my improvement may be the better understood I haveillustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure1 is a plan view of the device as ap plied for use in harness; and Fig.2 is a side view of the same, showing the locking-bar uplifted in dottedlines. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view of vthe locking-latchdetached and drawn to an enlarged scale, and Figs. 4 and 5 are detailviews of equivalent forms of the locking devices on the trace end. Figs.6, '7, and 8 areplan and side views of various forms of the frame, andFigs. 9, 10, and 11 are views illustrating'modified forms of other partsof the device.

In the views A represents the tug frame consisting of outer longitudinalbars provided at the forward end with a loop 0 to receive the draw strapconnected with the hame, and at its opposite end with compound loops 1),b, and b, b, for convenient connection with the harness and adjustingdevice arranged at this point and to be hereinafter more particularlyreferred to. The barA is provided along its length with a series of tiesor cross bars a, leaving a corresponding series of apertures a. Theloops b, b and b b at the rear end of the bar or frame A are in pairs oneach side thereof 5 the loops 6 projecting outwardly from the edge ofthe bar while the loops 1) rise slightly within the loops 1) and atright angles thereto from the bar or frame A. A locking frame or bar Bis hinged at a fixed point Z in supporting lugs 2' formed on bar A at ornear the forward end thereof and coincidingwith apertures in the sidebars of frame B which closely embraces bar A; The extremity of the baror frame B opposite the hinge thus formed is provided with atransverse'recess E across its outer side which recess registers withthe uppermost portion of the loops 1), b of bar A when said bars orframes A and B are closed or locked together as seen in Fig. 1. When inthis position the latch E is passed through loops b, b and closelyembracing the tug strap T, securely looks or binds the whole togetherbeing rein-.

forced by a series of transverse ties or cross pieces 0 extendingbetween the side pieces of frame B similarly to the ties at of bar A.

To the forward end of the adjustable tug strap or trace T is secured bymeans of rivets r, the notched lug F, which engages with one or'theother of the series of ties at of bar A whereby the length of said traceT may be readily and nicely adjusted.

As will be seen from the drawings, the locking latch E (Figs. 1 and3)dropsdown into its recess E in bar B until the lip or projection fatone side of said latch comes to bear against one of the loopsb of bar A,when the opposite end of the latch F Will project beyond the oppositeloop I) of frame or bar A.

Said end of latch E is provided as seen with an aperture or slot fthrough which is passed the fastening strap 8 whereby the latch isfirmly held in place.

When preferred the device will be faced on its inner side with leatheror similar material, and in some cases it may be advisable to employ theequivalent devices illustrated in Figs. 5 to 11.

In Figs. 5 andlO the trace T is shown provided with an opening 2 at itsend adapted to receive a locking pin 2 (Fig. 9) which may be passedthrough apertures c, 0' provided in the side bars of frame A and frameB.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The frame A, provided atone end with means for attachment to the hame, and at the other with aloop on each edge, combined with the bar B, hinged at one end to theframe, and a latch E which is passed through the loops over the free endof the bar, substantially as shown. 7

2. The combination with the frame A provided at one end with means forattachment to the hame, of the frame B hinged to said frame A andadapted to be folded down thereagainst, loops formed at opposite sidesof frameA at the end thereof opposite to the hinge of frame B, a latch Eadapted to be passed through said loops over the free end of frame 13and provided at one end with a projecting lip and at its opposite endwith a slot, and the trace adj ustably secured between said frames,substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the frame A provided at one end with means forattachment to the hame, of the frame B hinged to said frame A andadapted to be folded down thereagainst, the side bars of said framebeing provided with series of corresponding apertures, means for lockingsaid frames together when in their folded position, the trace arrangedbetween said frames and provided at its end with an apertured loop orlug, and a pin adapted to be passed through the apertures of the framesA and B and also through the apertured loop of the trace, substantiallyas set forth.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRED. F. I-IODGES. \Vitnesses:

M. B. SAMPSON, NATHAN I-I. BRIGGS.

